Aquaculture of Reef Fish

This project investigates the feasibility of producing high value ornamental reef fish that have not been raised before, and reducing the cost to farm these fish. The market for ornamental reef fish is very large, but that market is supplied primarily by wild fish captured from tropical reefs. Hatchery technology is only marginally successful for most reef fishes. Success in this project will increase the number of fish species we can raise profitably, and may indirectly reduce fishing pressure on reefs in Hawaii and elsewhere. If the Phase II project is successful, we will be able to raise ornamental reef fish competitively, and expand species numbers to provide crop diversity and income security. We hope to compete in the rising aquaculture market, where customers appear to be willing to pay a slightly higher price for fish that are not captured with cyanide or dynamite. This aspect of aquaculture also has social and conservation benefits, especially in Kona where Fisheries Restriction Areas (FRAs) have been established to keep collectors away from 31% of the reef.